December 19, 2007	Wednesday	Zilhaj 8, 1428

MELBOURNE, Dec 18: Former US Open and Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis will miss January’s Australian Open to undergo knee surgery, raising speculation he may be near the end of his injury-plagued career.

The 31-year-old Australian withdrew from a wild card playoff on Tuesday through which he hoped to gain entry to the Open, deciding instead to schedule surgery on a damaged cartilage in his right knee.

“I am bitterly disappointed. because I really wanted to play in Australia this summer,” Philippoussis said. “I want to get the surgery done and then work on getting back on the court as soon as I can.”—AP